Senate Suggests It's Reached A Deal on Gun Restrictions

The United States Senate announces a breakthrough deal, finding common ground in planning to pass new gun control laws.

The deal approves at least some of the proposed gun restrictions by expanding background checks to gun shows and online purchases. According to Mark Twain, an 'Armed society is a polite society.' A sentiment gunsmith and Grants Pass resident James Debruler, shares. Recreational shooting amongst his favorite past times."Getting 5 rounds through a spot the size of a nickle," he says, "it gives me a sense of accomplishment." Today, a deal was announced that will likely pass the U.S. Senate Thursday. It leaves exemptions for friend and family transfers, but expands background checks to gun shows and online purchases.

"It's a good idea, but I don't think any of it's going to be effective."Even Medford resident Marie Morris, who agrees with gun restrictions on ammo, shares the concern."It's just so possible to go around the law, no matter what it is."Currently gun sales are up..."I think a lot of people are running scared, they're buying and they're hoarding. they're afraid they're going to take our guns away from us," says Rodney Curtis, who works the gun counter at Black Bird.Concealed carry permit applications are overwhelming Oregon Sheriff's Departments from Malhuer to Jackson county. "In 2012 we did 2 to 3 hundred," says Lt. Marty Clark, "now we're averaging 5 hundred a month."At the state level, Oregon lawmakers are currently considering 4 bills, from prohibiting open carry in public buildings -- something that's become a topic of discussion right here in the Rogue Valley. "I think people who are walking in downtown Medford with a 38 strapped to their back are trying to make a statement, but I think there's a different way to do that."The state also considering enforcing handgun safety courses and testing, and background checks on transfer sales.

"All they're doing is making it harder for law abiding citizens like us to do what we want to do," comments Debruler.

A tender topic that's garnered a lot of heat from both sides of the band wagon.